by Pilar Lepe
They both stood at the foot of the bed. Gus with his hands in his pockets, nervous, Judith with her face almost purple of the anger she was holding in.
“Evelyn...” Her father, who was always in favor of dialogue, started talking.
“How could you do this to us?” Her mother interrupted. He voice was low, but seemed like a boiling pot about to burst.
“I´m sorry.” Evelyn said with a barely hearable voice.
“What are you sorry about? Saying sorry doesn’t change anything.”
“Who is the father?” Gus sat on the border of the bed, trying not to look at his wife.
“Josh.”
“Josh? Which Josh?” Judith was walking side to side like a lion in a cage.
“Taylor. Josh Taylor.”
“When?”
“Last summer, at his house during his birthday party.”
“Does he know?” He mother sounded calmer, thinking of a solution.
“He didn´t believe me. He said no one gets pregnant by having sex just once.”
“Idiot!” Her father shouted.
“First thing in the morning tomorrow three of us will go to his house, you have to marry him before you start showing more.” Her mother said
“What? I don´t want to get married.”
“You have to. If the church finds out, the whole town will be talking about us.”
“But I don´t want to!”
“It doesn´t matter. You didn´t mind behaving like a woman, did you? Now you have to assume responsibilities for your actions. You won’t want people to point at you.”
“But Josh is in San Diego, at university.”
“We´ll talk with his parents. Come on Gus, Evelyn has to rest.”
Gus got closer to Evelyn and gave her a kiss on the forehead. She looked at him with a pleading look, but he didn´t say anything. It was Judith Thomas who made the decisions of the household.
Eve stared at the closed door while tears streamed down her face. Her mother didn’t care how she felt, she just cared about what people would say. She knew that if she´d put her mind to it, she would marry her with Josh even if Evelyn didn’t want to, and the only thing she felt for him was hatred. She didn’t even feel attached to the baby she was carrying in her womb, it was just something she didn’t feel was a part of her.
Josh´s parents refused the marriage because both kids were too young and it would mess up their lives. Besides, he was a freshman at university. Judith however, didn´t give the idea up and started accusing him of rape. Finally, fearing a scandal that could affect George Taylor, who was a Public Prosecutor, accepted and made Josh return to marry Evelyn.
Judith organized everything with Janet Taylor´s help. Evelyn refused to participate in the matter; she didn’t even want to try dresses on, leaving her mother to decide.
The fateful day, Evelyn arrived at St. Peter along with her parents in the family car. Fine snow was falling. Judith took the end of the dress to prevent it from getting dirty, but it was the least of the girl´s worries since she was walking down the aisle. Inside, the people who were not aware of what was really going on saw her walking down the aisle at her father´s side, believing that it was the happiest day of her life.
The very next day, she would leave with Josh to California, her mother convinced the Taylors for them to settle there. She didn’t want people to know how far along she was when they got married.
Chapter 3
Evelyn looked perplexed when someone unexpectedly took the vase from her hands.
“What are you doing? You will damage it.”
“What? Oh! I’m sorry, I think you’re right. I put too many flowers in it.”
“Where were you? It seems like you didn’t hear me come.”
“I was in bad memory land, I travel there from time to time.”
“Fine, but today is not to get depressed over the past.” Sarah Lowell hugged her affectionately. The lady who worked with her, more than an employee, she was her best friend, so she knew everything about her.
“What is so special about today?” Eve looked at her friend over her shoulder while she was still working on the center pieces.
“Please Eve, don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“Oh! That. I don’t want a surprise party, you know I don’t like them.”
“We know. However I thought Samuel would’ve invited you out for dinner.”
“He did, but...”
“But what?”
“I’m not ready to take the next level.”
“Next level? You’re talking just like Jimmy.”
“It must be that I hear him all the time when he plays with Mark.” Evelyn laughed at Sarah’s thought showing that she was in a good mood. “Samuel will insist on the marriage and I don’t want to. He doesn’t understand that I don’t want to get married.”
“Eve, I’ve told you lots of times that you have to give yourself another chance. Not all men are like Josh.”
“I know my friend, but I’m happy this way. No attachments. Besides, he’ll want me to convert into Judaism.”
“But he’s a good man and he loves you, he’s a great catch. What more do you want? Even if you don’t want to accept it, you love him too, you’ve been longer with him than with the rest.
“Fine, I love him, but not enough marry him.”
“But...”
“Don’t insist Sarah or I’ll get mad at you. Now let me finish, I’ve lost a lot of time and the flowers won’t last long if I don’t put them into the preservative.
Sarah didn’t answer. She thought Evelyn should get back on her feet, she had been alone for almost twenty years and she didn’t think it was fair for her not to have someone to lean on. What would happen to her when Mark moves out and has his own family? Maybe she would think about it then, but she didn’t think Samuel would wait that long since he had proposed twice already and most likely, there wouldn’t be a fourth.
“Sarah! Wake up.” Evelyn snapped her fingers in front on her friend’s face. “I’ll ask you one more time: How long have we known each other?”
“Ten years.”
“And how many times have we talked about the same thing?”
“Millions of times.”
“And you still think you can convince me?”
“I won’t lose hope.”
“You better do for once and for all, because I don’t...” The sentence died in her lips as she felt her cellphone vibrating in her back pocket. “I hope it’s not Sandra Cortez again.”
“Saved by the bell.” Sarah said laughing while going to the backroom. “I’ll get some coffee ready.”
“Hello?!” Eve answered the phone annoyed.
“Eve?”
“Samuel. I’m sorry I didn’t see who was calling, I thought it was Sandra Cortez again, she has been calling me every five minutes.”
“Do you want to have lunch?”
“I can’t, I’m a little behind schedule. Besides Sandra will leave early and I’ll be alone today.”
“Dinner then?
“Today definitely not. I started very early this morning and I am exhausted. Actually, after delivering the flowers I want to take a long bath and watch a movie. Mark can manage to be on his own for a couple of hours.”
“Is there a way to convince you? I could buy a pizza and we could it eat between the orchids. I have no patients in the afternoon so I’m free if you need me.”
“Well, well, well. Doctor Bauer, free on a Friday night. No nose to fix?”
“Nothing until Monday. Well, what do you say? Should I bring pizza?”
“You’re so sweet Sam, but I’m not a great companion today. Today is one of those days.”
“Alright. I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t forget I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Samuel Bauer knew Evelyn’s story, which is why he knew that if Evelyn didn’t want anyone around, the best thing to do was to leave her alone. He didn’t agree with the idea, not wanti
ng anyone to lean on during difficult times, but he loved her enough to respect her ideals and wait for the storm to pass. He remembered she always got that way when her birthday was around the corner, and the next day would be, to him she looked like a thirty year old.
Samuel opened the first drawer from his desk. Between the papers and a whole bunch of other stuff, there was a little blue box hidden. He opened it and looked at the beautiful silver ring which instead of having a diamond at its center, it had a little turquoise stone, it was the closest one to Eve’s eye color he had found. He visited a lot of jewelers until he found the perfect one. The man assured him that it was puree, mined from Apache Canyon. The majority felt curious about the unique engagement ring, but Sam’s answer was always the same, that his girlfriend was very eccentric; he didn’t want to criticize the association by telling them that Evelyn hated the way diamonds were obtained.
He closed the little box and put it in the drawer again, and then he reconsidered. Mark had prepared a surprise dinner at Anderato’s to celebrate Eve’s birthday the next day. He told himself that this might be the occasion to persuade her into marrying him. Whistling Zorba the Greek, he put the ring away and put it in the briefcase, took off his white robe to go home, but before he would go to the gym for a while. The idea of convincing Eve at dinner gave him energy and the work out would calm him down.
At ten to six, Evelyn’s van parked at Elvas. She went into the luxurious hall to get help with the vases. Inside she found the wedding planner with young people dressed in black. It took about ten minutes for four of them to get all the flowers. When Eve saw her creations on the pink tablecloths she was pleased. Aside from how annoying her clients could get, she loved her job.
She went back to the shop, tired but satisfies with her work. She left the van in the street around the corner. Her apartment was on the second floor just above the flower shop. She was lucky she found that place that practically had everything together; her job and home, though she couldn’t deny she could’ve loved to live in front of the ocean to see the beach every day. But anyway, she couldn’t complain about the place she had been living in with her son for fifteen years.
Feeling a little more relaxed, she dialed the store’s number to tell Mark she was at the apartment and she wouldn’t come back down. The guy didn’t say anything when his mother went straight to the apartment without saying hello because “it was one of those days” and it would be better not to bother her.
Chapter 4
“Good morning sleepy head. How is the prettiest birthday girl in the whole world?”
“Mark! It’s too early for celebrations.”
“I don’t care, remember that I have to go to work early and you have to open the shop. Or are you going to take the day off?”
“No! Impossible. Even if I wanted to, I can’t. Saturday is our busiest day.”
“Well then, if you give me some space, we’ll have breakfast in bed.”
“OK. I see you outdid yourself, I’m sure it’s delicious.” Evelyn looked at the tray and licked her bottom lip to show her son the food looked appetitive.
“I tried to get everything you like: a latte, orange juice, raspberry cheesecake, a whole grain pita. I think everything is there.”
“Yes, there’s something missing.” She said very serious. “A hug from my dear son.”
“OK, but make it short.” Mark pretended to resist. “Mom, I wish the best to come for you, especially that you find happiness.”
“But I am happy.” Evelyn responded while washing her face.
“You know what I mean. You need a man.”
“What for? Someone to tell me what to do all the time? No sweetheart, I’m fine.”
“Mom, not every man is like dad.”
“Let’s not talk about him, besides you were too small to remember something.”
“I remember a lot of things; when he came some drunk with his friends from his band, when he blamed you for ruining his life, when he hit you.”
“Please, stop. I don’t want to remember. I know he wasn’t good, but I don’t forget he dropped out of medical school because of me.”
“No mom. He dropped out because he wanted to get into his music.”
“Whatever, let’s not talk about that. I don’t want to make this day miserable for myself. Sun’s out, I might even go to the beach.”
“Why don’t you? What’s stopping you? It’s your birthday and you have the right to take the day off.”
“Yeah right. But if tomorrow is sunny like today, I’ll go. I’ll even ask Samuel to go with me.”
“That’s the attitude! What would you like to do if you would?”
“It’s not a secret. Move my shop to Sunset Beach or somewhere near the beach, and...”
“And...?”
“Travel to Greece of course. Everyone knows that. Someday I will.”
“I know that, you always achieve all you set out for yourself. Well, now duty calls. At Hanson and Grey won’t be happy if I’m late. You know eyes are always set on the new ones.”
“But you’ll surprise them, I know it.”
“It’s a shame you’re not my boss.” Mark leaned to give her a kiss on the forehead and got out of the room.
When she got down, Sarah was arranging some roses. Evelyn went over and gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you. You’re more than a friend to me.”
“Because I love you, you’ve helped me through hard times, I’ll never forget that. You’re my sister at heart.”
“Please Sarah, you’ll make me cry.”
“Let’s change the subject. What are you doing tonight? Has Samuel called? Are you going to say yes?!”
“Hey Sarah! Lots of questions don’t you think? I know know, no, I haven’t thought about it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I answered all of your questions, there were three.”
“Eve, you know I like long answers, with a story to them, so answer one.”
“Fine.” Evelyn said rolling her eyes. “I don’t know what I don’t know you what I’ll be doing tonight, I think Sam is taking me to dinner, we didn’t really agree on anything. Besides he hasn’t called me yet, that answers your second question, and I haven’t thought about what I’d say if he proposes again. Is your curiosity satisfied?”
“For now.” Sarah answered laughing.
“Enough chit chat, it’s time to open the shop, it’s five after ten.”
“Fine, fine.”
The day went by quickly. Saturday was a good day since flowers were a favorite gift from men. Weekends were when there were more engagement parties, anniversaries, and sometimes even births. Evelyn couldn’t complain, she had earned her good reputation among the rest. She knew her shop was farther than she’d like it to be, but she was satisfied with her achievements. She’d always say that she would keep working until she could expand her business to include ornamental plants; she knew it was a different direction, but she couldn’t see why she couldn’t have them in her shop. If she worked hard enough, maybe someday she’ll have a farm outside of town, and instead of having animals, she’d grow flowers and it would be the biggest greenhouse around.
Around five, Mark popped his face at the door and waved so Evelyn would see him.
“I’m just going to change my clothes and then I’ll come down.” He yelled.
Evelyn smiled and continued wrapping green tulips while the thought how strange it was that Samuel had not called all day. Was this a new strategy? No, Samuel wasn’t the type, he was very conservative and predictable most of the times. She didn’t mind his personality but sometimes Evelyn wished he was a little more adventurous.
“Mom!”
Mark’s voice made her jump. She was so absorbed in her thoughts she didn’t realize she had wrapped the same bouquet twice.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She told an older man that was looking at her impatiently with the credit card in hand. “Wait, I’ll wrap it a
gain and I’ll give you two more for the delay.”
“You must be really tired, why don’t you go upstairs and I’ll stay with Sarah?”
“I was so distracted this morning, I didn’t even ask you why you went to work and a Saturday.”
“We’re working on a law suit against a company that’s throwing toxic waste materials on a river and it’s killing the fish and contaminating it. Well, what do you say?”
“What was the question?”
“I told you to go upstairs, take a bath and change for dinner. We have a dinner reservation at eight o’clock in a Greek restaurant that opened not too long ago. Sam will be there, though I think I’ll take the van.”
“Samuel? I haven’t heard about him all day.”
“I have. A woman had an accident with her breasts implants and they called him.”
“Then I think I’ll take your offer, I’m exhausted. We haven’t stopped all day.” Evelyn took off her orange apron and put it behind the counter.
“I’ll put up the sign to say we’re closing early today.”
Chapter 5
Before getting into the shower, Evelyn set the coffee maker, and then she headed to her bedroom and opened her closet to check her dresses. She knew exactly what she had in there: No more than five dresses which she the model and color they were by heart. Every time she had to wear one for a special occasion, she did the same checking ritual to pretend she had a lot to choose from. She really didn’t care if she didn’t have any elegant clothes; she just enjoyed playing in front of the mirror trying on dresses to see if her body had changed at all.
“Red, green, blue.” She would say aloud while she threw them on her bed. “Turquoise, yellow, burgundy, and that is all...and this one, which one is this?” She asked herself as she was taking a transparent bag and she could see a glimpse a taffeta teal dress.
The dress was so beautiful she was speechless; she saw the tag and realized it was from an exclusive store at Union Square from San Francisco. The model was simple; it was a short and strapless covered by a lace of the same color and a v neck. Evelyn started guessing who would send this to her and suddenly a white hand written note fell on the floor. She leaned to pick it up, but she immediately recognized Sarah’s writing: